Four years comes together in one night

Tue, 2010-12-21 08:00 -- univcomm

December 21, 2010

Anderson University senior Megan Bird showcased her four years of musical education in a two-hour recital in December. Bird is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music and a concentration in vocal performance. She has performed as the lead in numerous plays and has sung in church choirs, the AU Chorale, and many other activities that have helped her musical career.

Looking back on her four years at AU, Bird points to many influential experiences that have helped shape her into the performer she is today. [Photo on left: Senior vocal performance major Megan Bird sang several songs including Ich folge dir gleichfalls by Bach and Prendero quel brunettino by Mozart.]

“All of the shows I was able to be a part of here at Anderson were extremely beneficial,” said Bird. “They were so much fun, but also challenged me, and I know I learned something valuable from every musical and opera I was a part of.”

Bird also enjoyed being a member of AU’s Chorale. “Chorale is something that I will value for the rest of my life,” she said. “I made wonderful friends through choir and had some amazing experiences at Chorale retreats, tours, and our Scandinavian trip this past summer.”

Bird has also been deeply affected by her professors. She learned immensely from her music professors Laurel Goetzinger, Dr. Fritz Robertson, Dr. Richard Sowers, and Christopher Holmes. “They have all challenged me, encouraged me, been a friend to me, and helped mold who I am as a performer and a person,” she said.

Although all of her professors have impacted her life, Goetzinger has made a special impact on her. “She has been my voice teacher throughout my years at AU,” said Bird. “She has gone above and beyond to push, encourage, and teach me. She has made a huge impact on my life. She cares so much and is a great example professionally and personally.”

One of the highlights of Bird’s four years at AU was her senior recital. “My recital was a lot of fun for me because I picked most of the pieces I performed,” Bird said. “I feel as if there was a lot of variety and different styles showcased that day.” Bird also enjoyed collaborating with others in the duets that she performed.

“I don’t know if you will find another music school that is literally a family like you find here at AU,” Bird said. “The professors are all wonderful and truly care about their students. They are supportive and helpful as well and push you past where you thought you could go.”

Bird said AU’s School of Music stands apart from the rest for other reasons: “There isn’t the competitive pettiness that you find at other university music departments, but here everyone is supportive and all best friends.”

Bird graduated a semester early, finishing her academic career at AU in December. She plans to return to her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, to work in a music store. She will be giving voice lessons there, as well as auditioning for shows around the city. She recently auditioned for the Cincinnati Opera Chorus. But long-term, she has her eyes set on continuing her education.

“I want to get my master’s so I can teach at a collegiate level someday, but I might take a year off before I go,” said Bird. “I’m just trying to take one day at a time and see what happens from here.”

— Joseph Matas is a senior from Anderson, Ind., majoring in communication arts and minoring in marketing. Matas is an associate with Fifth Street Communications™, writing on behalf of the Anderson University Office of University Communications.